Marketing and Sales

Sell Online With Online Platforms

What are online selling platforms?

Online selling platforms, also known as electronic commerce or internet commerce, is the use of electronic communications and digital information processing technology in business transactions to create, transform, and redefine relationships for value creation between or among organizations, and between organizations and individuals - put more simply, e-commerce refers to a wide range of online business activities for products and services.

The major different types of e-commerce are: business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), business-to-government (B2G), consumer-to-consumer (C2C), and mobile commerce (m-commerce).

  • B2B e-commerce is simply defined as e-commerce between companies. This is the type of e-commerce that deals with relationships between and among businesses. About 80% of e-commerce is of this type.

  • B2C, Business-to-consumer e-commerce, or commerce between companies and consumers, involves customers gathering information, purchasing physical goods (tangibles such as books) or information goodsor digitized content like e-books, and for information goods, receiving products over an electronic network. It is the second largest and the earliest form of e-commerce.

  • B2G or Business-to-government e-commerce is generally defined as commerce between companies and the public sector. It refers to the use of the Internet for public procurement, licensing procedures, and other government-related operations.

  • Consumer-to-consumer e-commerce or C2C is simply commerce between private individuals or consumers, like online auctions.

  • M-commerce or mobile commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services through wireless technology, like handheld devices such as cell phones.

How can you use eCommerce platforms for your business?

There are many online marketplaces, or ecommerce platforms, to sell your products and services. Each of them has its own monetization strategy (some offer free plans and others limit you to a free trial), audience, benefits to sellers, and specific products to sell on them. Consider all these factors to choose the best marketplace to sell your products and increase profit, as well as promote your brand.

If you sell services, consider creating a profile with our partner Thumbtack, they let you get started for free and through our partnership you’ll even get free credits! Other great platforms are Freelancer, Craigslist, Postmates, Fiverr, and Upwork. If you sell products, consider listing your products on Amazon.com and Etsy, but don’t forget your own website.

eCommerce Platforms ideal for selling services

eCommerce Platforms ideal for selling products

Pro Tip

Keep in mind the reach of an online platform, are you comfortable posting your product on a global platform and shipping internationally? Will it be profitable? Do you have the inventory to fill larger orders?